Illustration of mantis
plural mantises also mantes
ˈman-ˌtēz 
: any of an order or suborder (Mantodea and especially family Mantidae) of large usually green insects that feed on other insects and clasp their prey in forelimbs held up as if in prayer
Examples of mantis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And there was a vigorous cat chase at Yankee Stadium in 2021 on the same day that a mantis sat on a player’s head for two innings.
—
Victor Mather, New York Times, 16 May 2024
Praying mantis eggs, laid in insulating foam cases last fall before the mother mantis died, are also about to hatch.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2024
The episode featuring the mighty mantis and spider above was shot in a Texas backyard and included a jet-setting monarch butterfly working on their migrating north.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
Cockerill and the team addressed that in this series by not giving the bugs a name and showcasing the very real struggles in their lives, from outrunning a hungry mantis, finding food, to avoiding being squished by our shoes.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2024
There was a silky black chicken hot pot, giant mantis prawns, and a particularly delightful 2 a.m. run-in with handmade siu mai.
—The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 6 Dec. 2023
Scientists have discovered the mantis also has unique 3D eyesight that is now being studied for its potential use to improve vision in robots.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
There are nearly 2,000 different mantis species worldwide, found mostly in the more tropical or temperate climates.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
For the First Time, A Praying Mantis Has Been Caught Fishing But some mantis species take concealment very seriously.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2023
Victor Mather, New York Times, 16 May 2024
Praying mantis eggs, laid in insulating foam cases last fall before the mother mantis died, are also about to hatch.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2024
The episode featuring the mighty mantis and spider above was shot in a Texas backyard and included a jet-setting monarch butterfly working on their migrating north.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
Cockerill and the team addressed that in this series by not giving the bugs a name and showcasing the very real struggles in their lives, from outrunning a hungry mantis, finding food, to avoiding being squished by our shoes.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2024
There was a silky black chicken hot pot, giant mantis prawns, and a particularly delightful 2 a.m. run-in with handmade siu mai.
—The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 6 Dec. 2023
Scientists have discovered the mantis also has unique 3D eyesight that is now being studied for its potential use to improve vision in robots.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
There are nearly 2,000 different mantis species worldwide, found mostly in the more tropical or temperate climates.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
For the First Time, A Praying Mantis Has Been Caught Fishing But some mantis species take concealment very seriously.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mantis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mantis
Cite this Entry
“Mantis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mantis. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share